Randy Chandler
Swiss cheese is a slang term used to describe a person who has been shot multiple times and is now full of holes, resembling the texture of Swiss cheese. The term has been used in popular culture, including in the 1988 film Die Hard, where the character Sgt Powell says, They're turning my car into Swiss cheese. The phrase can also be traced back to rap music from the 1990s and has seen a resurgence on TikTok among Gen Z and Gen Alpha users in the 2020s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Slang Term | Swiss Cheese or Swiss Cheesed |
| Meaning | Someone who has been shot multiple times and is full of holes |
| Origin | Rap music from the 1990s |
| Resurgence | Among Gen Z and Gen Alpha TikTokers in the 2020s |
| Early Usage | In the 1988 film Die Hard, the character Sgt Powell says, "They're turning my car into swiss cheese." |
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What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese as slang
The usage of the term "Swiss cheese" to describe someone full of holes has been documented in various contexts. For example, in a 2011 news headline that read, "'Swiss Cheese Man' Angel Alvarez cleared in Harlem shootout," and in a 2013 /r/grandtheftauto subreddit post, where a user wrote, "The police made my car look like Swiss cheese but they still didn't kill me."
The phrase "Swiss cheese" has also been used more figuratively to describe stories or narratives full of holes or inconsistencies. For instance, on the r/blackbookgraffiti subreddit, users share their experiences with Alzheimer's disease and refer to their stories as "Swiss cheese stories," indicating that they are full of gaps or missing details due to memory loss.
While the term "Swiss cheese" as slang may have originated from the literal description of being shot full of holes, its usage has evolved to encompass a broader range of contexts, including figurative expressions of being full of holes or inconsistencies. This evolution demonstrates the creative and adaptive nature of slang in capturing vivid imagery and conveying ideas in unique and memorable ways.
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Swiss cheese in pop culture
Swiss cheese, or Emmental cheese, is a popular variety of cheese that originated in Switzerland. It is known for its distinctive holes, known as "eyes", which are formed by carbon dioxide bubbles during the fermentation process. The cheese has a nutty and sweet flavour, and its annual production in the United States alone is approximately 330 million pounds.
Swiss cheese has made its way into various aspects of pop culture. For example, it is often used as a metaphor or comparison in movies, television shows, and literature. One famous example is the "Swiss Cheese Defense" strategy in the 1992 movie "A Few Good Men", where the protagonist, Lt. Daniel Kaffee, compares the prosecution's case to Swiss cheese because it is full of holes and inconsistencies.
Swiss cheese has also become a popular food item in animated shows and movies, often used for comedic effect. For instance, in the "Looney Tunes" cartoon series, the character Pepe Le Pew is often seen eating Swiss cheese, using it as a tool to seduce the female cats he pursues. In the "Tom and Jerry" cartoon series, Jerry, the mouse, is often shown stealing small pieces of Swiss cheese from the refrigerator, only to be chased by Tom, the cat.
Additionally, Swiss cheese has been referenced and featured in various comic books and graphic novels. In the Marvel Universe, the character of Daredevil is known for his love of Swiss cheese, often using it as a comfort food or a reward after a long night of fighting crime. In the DC Universe, the character of Harley Quinn is known for her unique taste in food, often pairing Swiss cheese with unusual items such as pickles and chocolate.
Swiss cheese has also made its way into video games, becoming a popular food item or reward in some cases. In the "Super Mario" franchise, Swiss cheese is sometimes used as a power-up, granting Mario or Luigi temporary invincibility. In the "World of Warcraft" universe, Swiss cheese is a rare drop from certain monsters, sought after by players for its ability to grant a temporary speed boost.
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Swiss cheese stories
In another context, Swiss cheese stories can refer to unreliable narratives or testimonies. For instance, in a courtroom setting, a witness's testimony may be described as a Swiss cheese story if it is filled with contradictions or omissions that cast doubt on its credibility. The term can also be used to describe someone's recollection of events if they are unable to provide a clear and consistent account, perhaps due to memory loss or cognitive impairment.
Additionally, Swiss cheese stories can be associated with misleading or deceptive narratives. This could include political speeches, advertising campaigns, or even personal anecdotes that are crafted to omit certain details or present a biased perspective, thereby creating a narrative with holes that only tells part of the story.
In each of these contexts, the term "Swiss cheese stories" serves as a metaphor for narratives that are incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable. By comparing these stories to Swiss cheese, it highlights the presence of holes or gaps that detract from the overall coherence and credibility of the narrative.
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Swiss cheese in rap music
The slang term "Swiss cheese" or "Swiss cheesed" refers to a person who has been shot multiple times and is riddled with holes, resembling the texture of Swiss cheese. This slang term has been used in rap music, particularly in the 1990s, with an example from Nas' 1998 song "Triple Threat": "Sex and money go together like techs and nine shells Swiss cheese you and cover it up like Roswell Cartel, you ain’t seen no iller regime". Here, Nas draws a comparison between the holes in Swiss cheese and those created by TEC-9 semi-automatic weapons. This usage of "Swiss cheese" in rap music aligns with its broader slang meaning, reflecting the gritty and violent themes often associated with the genre.
The term "Swiss cheese" in rap music can also take on a metaphorical or symbolic significance. In the context of the song "Triple Threat," the holes in the Swiss cheese may not only refer to physical wounds but also metaphorical holes created by the mentioned "techs and nine shells". This could symbolize the emotional or psychological damage inflicted on an individual, suggesting they have been figuratively "Swiss cheesed" or left full of holes, in the same way that Swiss cheese is known for its holes.
Additionally, in a broader context, cheese in rap music is often used as a metaphor or stand-in for money or illicit profit. This is seen in lyrics that mention "bread and dough" or "working bread cheese and dough," where "cheese" is used interchangeably with "money." This usage of "cheese" as a metaphor for money is prevalent across various subgenres of rap, including socially conscious, hardcore, Dirty South, and gangsta rap.
Interestingly, the term "Swiss cheese" in rap music may also evoke a sense of cultural or culinary identity. In the same way that certain foods are associated with specific cultures or regions, the reference to Swiss cheese could be a nod to Swiss culture or cuisine. This adds a layer of complexity to the lyrics, blending violent imagery with cultural references, creating a unique narrative within the song.
Beyond its figurative usage, the term "Swiss cheese" has also been literally applied in the realm of food and music. In an experiment, researchers played hip-hop music to Swiss cheese as it aged, resulting in a stronger aroma and flavour compared to cheese aged without music. This experiment, conducted by Swiss cheesemaker Beat Wampfler and researchers from the Bern University of Arts, demonstrated that playing hip-hop music to cheese while it aged resulted in a funkier flavour, showcasing the influence of sound waves on the cheese's final taste.
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Swiss cheese in video games
Swiss cheese is slang for someone who has been shot multiple times and is left with holes like Swiss cheese. The term has been used in films, such as Die Hard in 1988, and in rap music in the 1990s. Swiss cheese has also been used in video games, such as Grand Theft Auto and Escape from Tarkov, to describe a character or object that has been shot multiple times.
While the term Swiss cheese in video games is not common, cheese itself has been featured in video games for decades. Cheese has appeared in games in various forms, including cheese-themed levels, cheese items, and even entire games based on cheese. For example, in the 1994 game Cheese Chase, players take on the role of a mouse that collects cheese in a maze while avoiding rats and other obstacles. Similarly, in Baldur's Gate 3 (2023), players can transform into a wheel of cheese and roll around.
Cheese has also been featured in more indirect ways in video games. For instance, in Ducktales and Looney Tunes, Limburger cheese makes periodic appearances as a stinky cheese trope. Additionally, in the game Cooking Mama, players can virtually make popular cheese dishes like mac 'n' cheese, grilled cheese, and pizza.
The term "cheesing" in video games is also worth mentioning. While it initially had little to do with the food, it has evolved to refer to a tactic or strategy that is considered unfair or exploitative. Some video game developers have even incorporated cheese into their games to discourage "cheesing." For example, Atari and Capcom added a feature where if a player is "cheesing," a chunk of cheese will drop from the top of the screen, forcing the player to stop.
Overall, while Swiss cheese may not be a prevalent term in video games, cheese itself has made notable appearances and even influenced gaming slang and culture.
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Frequently asked questions
To Swiss cheese someone means to shoot them multiple times, leaving their body full of holes, like Swiss cheese.
Yes, the verb form is "to get Swiss cheesed" or "to Swiss cheese someone".
The term "Swiss cheese" has been used to describe someone who has been shot multiple times and is full of holes since the 1980s. It can be traced to pre-internet examples, notably appearing in rap music from the 1990s and in the 1988 film Die Hard.
The term "Swiss cheese" has been used in various forms of media, including news headlines, video games, and YouTube videos. For example, a news headline from March 2nd, 2011, read, "‘Swiss Cheese Man’ Angel Alvarez cleared in Harlem shootout."
Yes, on Reddit, R/blackbookgraffiti users mention "Swiss cheese stories" to refer to stories that are "full of holes", meaning they are inconsistent or not well-thought-out.
